The hot seat rankings are done two ways. First, the five coaches who are in huge trouble and need a win for job security, and then the five coaches who won’t get canned, but could use something positive … fast.

The plus side? One win changes around the perceptions in a big, big hurry.

Coaches On The Hot Seat: Win, Or Else

5. Randy Edsall, UConn

It’s not just that UConn is losing; it’s that it’s getting destroyed by bad teams.

The Huskies fought with USF and UMass, and then, just as it seemed like they were getting far more competitive and far better …

Tulsa 49, UConn 19.

And now. Edsall is 1-8 this season – and 4-17 in his latest stint – with one of the worst defenses in the country and an offense that’s scored over 19 points just once over the last five games. The Huskies have SMU, at East Carolina and Temple to close, and it’s almost certain they’re going to finish 1-11.

It’s just a question of how decent they are over the finishing kick.

4. Mike Neu, Ball State

Last year, his key guys in the backfield were hurt, and the offense sputtered in a 2-10 season. This year, the team just can’t score.

The Cardinals have scored more than 24 points just once against an FBS team – they’re 3-0 when scoring 24 or more this year, and 0-7 when they don’t hit the mark.

Now, having lost their last three games by a combined score of 138-47, they’re ensured of a losing season with Western Michigan and Miami University to go. In three years under Neu, the program has won nine games – and it’s going to be a fight to get a tenth.

3. Chris Ash, Rutgers

The team is battling and fighting, and it’s been able to keep the last two games close against Northwestern and Wisconsin, but 1-8 is 1-8.

The team simply isn’t scoring, failing to come up with more than 17 points in a game since the 35-7 opener over Texas State.

It’s not easy to survive in the Big Ten East, but with blowout losses to Kansas, Buffalo, Indiana and Illinois, this has hardly been a good Year Three under Ash.

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2. Tony Sanchez, UNLV

The wheels are coming off. The Rebels have lost six straight game, are ensured of a losing season, and haven’t even been close with five straight games allowing 41 points or more.

So far this year, UNLV has beaten a UTEP team that just came up with its first win since 2016 on Saturday, and the other win came against Prairie View A&M.

He’s a legendary local figure, and to be fair, everything got bad after losing star QB Armani Rogers, but it’s about to be a fourth straight losing season just when the program is supposed to be hitting its stride.

1. Larry Fedora, North Carolina

It’s not like the Tar Heels are truly awful.

If it’s possible to be a pretty good 1-7 team, this one is it. But after going 3-9 last year, and with the lone victory this season a 38-35 battle with Pitt, it’s been a rough run.

Again, though, the team has been competitive with likely bowl bound teams, but still, losing five games by ten points or fewer are still losses.

Going back to right after a win over Georgia Tech in early November of 2016, North Carolina is 5-19 with two of those wins coming against FCS teams, two of them coming against Pitt, and one came against Old Dominion.

What’s next to finish things up? at Duke, Western Carolina and NC State. Nothing helps – or kills – a job status like the rivalry games.